Each edition of The Christian Century Magazine features a two-page section entitled "Century Marks", which offers brief thought provoking snippets form other religious publications. Two entries in the September 19, 2012 edition caught my interest. The first, from the journal Word & World, rephrases the Ten Commandments in reference to the technologies we use in our everyday life. “Technology is a gift,” says author Adam Copeland, “but a problematic and challenging one.” The commandments Copeland offers are intended to speak to the moral challenges our small handheld devices can pose. His first commandment is: “You shall have no other gods, so don’t treat your cell phone like one.” The third is: “Honor the Sabbath day; give the gadgets a rest.” The fifth states: “You shall not kill, so of course you shall use the Internet for peace.” The seventh: “Steal neither goods nor time from yourself and others.” Some families, writes Copeland, have a designated technology basket where cell phones and music players are placed during meals and other family times so as not to be distracted by them. A second snippet, again from the September 19, 2012 edition of The Christian Century Magazine, tells about Chinese Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi, who died this summer after a six-year battle with lung cancer. For the Cardinal, according to the magazine Vatican Insider, cancer was a blessing, as it gave him a chance to explain his faith to many people. In his final years he gave priority to ministering to three groups: intellectuals, condemned prisoners and people of other religions. When asked if he was afraid to die, he responded: “No! Dying is falling into the loving arms of God”.

The Invited Inn, the free Thursday evening hot meal program for the needy hosted by Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, honored its' volunteer staff at a special "Thank-you Dinner" on Tuesday, September 11. Carol Moor, who has for twenty years served as the program's coordinator, reminded those present of the importance of their service and thanked them for their dedication and commitment. "Together," she said, "we have welcomed hundreds of guests and served thousands of nutritious meals. We have learned that hunger takes many forms and that, ironically, through our service we too have been fed." Jean Kelly, Executive Director of The Interfaith Nutrition Network, the Invited Inn's parent organization, was keynote speaker at the event. The evening ended with a gesture of support and encouragement from the congregation as Vicky Bender, Chairperson of Trinity's Social Ministry Committee, presented the Inn with a check for $1,100.

In last week’s gospel reading (Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23), Jesus criticized religious leaders who were more concerned with ritual purity than compassion for those in need. In this week’s reading (Mark 7:24-37) Jesus demonstrates his point by ministering to a Phoenician woman, a Gentile who was considered ritually unclean by Jews. The story is not without difficulties. Is Jesus reluctant to extend his mission to Gentiles? Why use such a hurtful proverb in response to her plea for help? Whatever the reason, the woman’s faith in Christ’s power and benevolence wins the day. Jesus not only answers her prayer, but extends his ministry beyond the ethnic and racial barriers of his day.